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Month: <span>December 2020</span>
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Lowcountry Property Management | How Long Does a Property Showing Take?

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Lowcountry Property Management
Lowcountry Property Management

One of the most time-consuming parts of renting out properties is touring the unit with prospective tenants. Sometimes, Lowcountry Property Management companies spend their entire day showing homes to one person, couple, or family, after another. By the end of the day a great property manager’s voice with be hoarse, their feet sore, but a stack of applications will be in their hands.

New property managers often do not understand how to budget time for property showings. Some people will walk into a property, take a quick peek around, and then leave, without saying much to you. Others will take their time, opening every door, cabinet, and window to inspect the home, asking lots of questions, and make sure it is their dream rental home.

When you work in Lowcountry Property Management, however, you must learn to balance these showings and keep to a tight schedule to work efficiently. The consensus is that a property showing should take between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the size of the property. However, the entire appointment for the prospective tenant could take longer.

Steps to Property Showing

The tenant should meet the Lowcountry Property management representative at the home they are interested in renting.

  1. Greet the tenant and provide them with any literature you have on the home.
  2. Give a quick tour of the exterior of the property including highlights such as a recently redone deck or patio, a spacious backyard, or heated garage.
  3. Take the tenants into the home through the entrance they would use if they were to move in if there are multiple entrances.
  4. Move the tenants through each room pointing out highlights such as new hardwood floors, countertops, or appliances. Make sure to not oversell.
  5. Stand back and give tenants a few minutes to look around each room but aim to spend no more than 2-4 minutes in each.
  6. After the showing, ask the tenants to complete their application for the property onsite or back at the rental office.

Showing the property is the top way to get the home rented; however, you need a professional property manager to make the most of your property and every tour.

Scott Properties can get your home rented quickly. Call us today at 843-790-4929.

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Lowcountry Property Management | Tips for A Successful Property Showing

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Lowcountry Property Management
Lowcountry Property Management

Every great Lowcountry property management company understands how important a property showing is to getting a home rented. However, giving a tour of a property is not as easy as some people might think. There are many tasks that go on behind the scenes to prepare for a property tour and all these things help the tenant fall in love with their next home.

When property showings go poorly however, prospective tenants can not only leave your home vacant, they might leave bad reviews or tell friends about their negative experience with your company. However, the best Lowcountry property management home tours can have everyone in town raving about your amazing homes. If you want rave reviews and homes that are always leased, follow these tips for a successful property showing.

  • Clean and Pristine- Before you start showing a property to tenants you should always tour the home yourself first to ensure the home is clean, everything is in order and any last-minute maintenance has been completed. You never want a tenant to see a home that is not move-in ready.
  • Dress it up- Empty homes do not inspire tenants. Having a few pieces of home décor and furniture can help tenants imagine themselves living in the home and get excited about moving in their own belongings. You should also try to give special attention to the outside of the home as well such as flower beds, potted plants, a clean porch, and fresh cut grass.
  • Application Folders- Single-family home rentals are generally not located on the same property as the Lowcountry property management office. Getting prospects to come back to the office to apply immediately can be difficult, but you can make sure each prospect leaves with a folder full of enticing literature such as a picture of the home with the specs, an application, instructions on how to turn in the application and what other documents are needed, and information about your company.

Property showings are the most important part of the rental process. They will make the tenant fall in love or turn them off completely. However, a great showing can lead to long-term tenants and keep your properties full.

If you need a professional Lowcountry property management company to help you with your properties, call Scott Properties at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | The Top Customer Service Skills A Property Manager Needs

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: charleston property management
Charleston Property Management

If you are going to find a job in Charleston property management, you will need to have a specific skillset in addition to relevant experience. Your customer service skills need to be on-point and top-notch if you are going to be one of the best property managers in Charleston. You should also be prepared to speak to these customer service skills in a job interview; and if you do not have these skills, but you are trying to rent houses, you should hire a professional instead.

Top customer service skills for property managers

  1. Active Listening- You must be an active listener if you are going to be effective in Charleston property management. You need to listen and understand your tenant’s concerns, comments, and needs to be able to respond in a while that is beneficial for everyone.
  2. Responsive- Tenants become long term residents when their needs and concerns are being tended to and their property manager is responsive. Even when solutions cannot be provided at once, when a tenant makes a maintenance request or has a complaint, you should do your best to acknowledge receipt of the communication as soon as possible.
  3. Accommodating- Whenever possible a great Charleston property management company will be accommodating to their tenants and try to offer solutions. While it is important to follow the rules outlined in the lease, providing bill payment solutions, preventive maintenance, and keeping things convenient for renters with online tenant portals, are great ways to increase tenant satisfaction.

When you can master these three customer service skills, you will make a fantastic addition to a Charleston property management team. When you own rental properties, it is important to ensure that the property manager you hire to help you make the most of your investment owns these skills and more. A professional property management company often has all the solutions you are looking for when it comes to a high-quality team with the best skill set and vendor partnerships.

If you are interest in working with one of the top property rental companies in Charleston, give Scott Properties a call at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management | How to Make the HVAC in Your Rental Last Longer

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Charlestons Property Management
Charleston Property Management

One of the most stressful parts of owning rental property is the large expense occurred when a major appliance breaks down or needs replaced such as the HVAC system. The price of the new system as well as installation can run thousands of dollars—an expense that many property owners are not always prepared to shoulder. When you partner with a Charleston property management company, you can discover the key to making your HVAC system last longer.

Preventative Maintenance- Every year your HVAC system should have an inspection that cleans the system, removes any debris from the exterior components, change thermostat batteries, and change the air filter along with checking for damages to the ductwork. The air filters should also be changed every three months or more often depending on how dirty they are. Charleston property management companies have the best rates worked out with local vendors to provide scheduled maintenance and keep warranties valid.

Lease Instructions- Include safety measures and precautions to keep the HVAC system up and running in the lease. Many times, Charleston property management makes sure to include keeping HVAC closets free of boxes and personal items into the lease. If these units are in the basement, you can mark out lines on the floor with tape showing tenants to keep four feet clear on all sides of the furnace or air conditioner.

Inspections- Property managers should do inspections on properties every six months or at lease renewal to ensure that the home is being taken care of according to the lease instructions. The HVAC system, air filter, and thermostat can also be checked during this time to ensure proper working order, along with other appliances.

The best way to increase the longevity of rental properties and appliances is to be proactive and preventive. Let a Charleston property management team with maintenance connections handle the management and upkeep of your rental properties.

Schedule an appointment with a property manager at Scott Properties today at 843-790-4929.

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Charleston Property Management Companies | The Most Common Rental Properties

Author: Scott Wallace
Categories: Charleston Property Management Companies
Charleston Property Management Companies

If you have been looking to invest in rental properties, you have probably been wondering which types of rentals are the most popular and profitable. Charleston property management companies offer many distinct types of rental to appeal to all the demographics of renters in South Carolina. However, first time investors will have some security by investing in one of the most popular type of rental homes.

Single-Family Homes- The most popular type of rental for families are single-family homes. These detached homes usually have yards, and neighbors have defined property lines.

Multi-Family Buildings- These can be large apartment complexes with dozens of buildings and hundreds of apartments, or smaller like duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes.

Townhomes- Also called row houses, these homes are built connected to each other on at least one wall. They are normally two stories and often share connecting yards as well. Townhomes are often built as part of larger multi-family complexes.

Condominiums- Condos are multi-family units that are privately owned. Investors can purchase these buildings and then sell individual units.

Investors in rental properties have traditionally pursued long-term rentals of a year or more when trying to attract tenants. There are other investors who have ventured into the Air BnB side of renting where short term rentals of just a few nights are popular. Air BnBs are generally in houses, apartments, or guest houses. These rentals can be unpredictable, and tenants are not screened the same way they would be for long term renters signing leases.

Charleston property management companies understand the risks and benefits of the distinct types of rental properties. Once you find the perfect investment, you will need a property manager that can find the best tenants through marketing, screening, and taking care of the day-to-day tasks of managing rentals.

Single family homes are some of the best properties to focus your investment on. When you are ready to hire a property manager to take your investment to the next level, call Scott Properties at 843-790-8502.